Female fleas can reproduce at a rapid rate. Upon finding a host and feeding on them, one female flea can lay as many as 50 eggs in a single day. Animals infested with fleas can leave a trail of these eggs which are dropped off in carpets, bedding, and other surfaces wherever the animal may move around and go. When the eggs hatch, larvae will emerge and bury themselves in between crevices. The larvae will remain dormant for a few weeks before they evolve into adults. The flea’s entire life cycle occurs anywhere from 12 days to
6 months. External factors such as the climate, humidity, and temperature can affect the duration of their life cycle.
Fleas are blood-sucking parasites and rely on their host for a blood meal. Pets with severe cases of flea infestation can develop anemia; young pets are particularly more vulnerable to this. Dogs with flea allergies will be scratching non-stop because they often experience intense pruritus or itching from a flea bite. Hot spots and skin infection may develop because of the skin breakage from excessive scratching. Skin breaks can be a portal of entry for many infection-causing pathogens. Fleas are tapeworm carriers.
Creating a year-long flea control program for your pet can help protect them against the threat of flea infestation. You can contact your veterinarian Leonardtown, MD to help you out in formulating an effective flea control program.
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